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Financial Hardship Membership Assistance

GBR recognises that members may occasionally experience financial difficulties that affect their ability to maintain their membership. In keeping with GBR’s values of compassion, fellowship, integrity, and support, GBR may provide limited membership assistance to eligible members experiencing genuine financial hardship.

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a fair and consistent process for members who are temporarily unable to meet their membership obligations due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control.

Financial hardship assistance is intended to provide temporary support and does not create an automatic entitlement to reduced or waived membership fees.

2. Eligibility

A member may request assistance where financial hardship is caused by circumstances such as:

  • Loss of employment or a significant reduction in income.
  • Unexpected financial responsibilities or essential expenses.
  • Serious family or personal circumstances affecting financial stability.
  • Temporary business or economic difficulties.
  • Other genuine circumstances that significantly affect the member’s ability to pay.

GBR may consider each request based on the circumstances presented and the availability of assistance.

3. Application for Assistance

Members requesting assistance should contact the designated GBR representative or membership team and provide sufficient information to explain their circumstances.

Where reasonably necessary, GBR may request supporting information to assess the application. Members are expected to provide accurate and honest information.

All requests will be handled with appropriate discretion and confidentiality.

4. Forms of Assistance

Depending on the circumstances, GBR may consider:

  • Temporary reduction or waiver of membership fees.
  • Extended payment arrangements.
  • Temporary suspension of membership fees.
  • Other reasonable arrangements approved by GBR.

The type, duration, and extent of assistance will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

5. Review and Duration

Financial hardship assistance is intended to be temporary. GBR may review an assistance arrangement periodically to determine whether the member’s circumstances have changed.

Members should notify GBR when they are able to resume their normal membership obligations.

Assistance may be discontinued where the agreed period has ended, circumstances have improved, information provided is found to be inaccurate, or the member no longer meets the requirements for assistance.

6. Fairness and Integrity

GBR will seek to administer financial hardship assistance fairly, consistently, and without discrimination. Assistance should not be requested or used where a member has the reasonable ability to meet their membership obligations.

Approval of assistance remains at the discretion of GBR and is subject to the organisation’s available resources and applicable policies.

7. Commitment to Members

GBR seeks to ensure that genuine financial hardship does not unnecessarily prevent individuals from participating in the organisation and its activities.

Members experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to communicate with GBR early and seek assistance before their membership falls into arrears, allowing reasonable arrangements to be considered.